Ordination in the Bible refers to the setting apart or appointing of individuals for spiritual leadership roles within the church. While the specific process of ordination has developed over church history, the biblical foundation for ordaining leaders is seen throughout Scripture.
The Old Testament describes how God set apart the Levites for service in the tabernacle (Numbers 8:10-14), and ordained the sons of Aaron as priests (Exodus 28:1-4). In the New Testament, Jesus ordained the twelve disciples (Mark 3:14), who would lead the early church. The Apostle Paul and Barnabas appointed elders in the churches they planted (Acts 14:23).
The biblical qualifications for church leaders focused more on character and spiritual maturity than formal education or specialized training (1 Timothy 3:1-13, Titus 1:5-9). Those entering leadership were to be above reproach, temperate, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, gentle, not quarrelsome or greedy. The process of ordination involved the laying on of hands by church leaders (1 Timothy 4:14), signifying the church’s endorsement of an individual for ministry.
The ecclesial authority to ordain is seen in passages like Matthew 16:19 where Jesus gave Peter the “keys of the kingdom of heaven,” including binding and loosing authority to establish church doctrine and practice. The Old Testament precedent was the authority of the High Priest and Sanhedrin within Judaism. Practices like the appointment of the seven deacons (Acts 6:1-6) reveal an early church authority structure.
However, the Bible also affirms the “priesthood of all believers” (1 Peter 2:9). All Christians have gifts for ministry (Romans 12:6-8) and are called to use them to build up the body (Ephesians 4:11-16). While certain individuals are set apart for leadership through ordination, all believers are empowered by the Holy Spirit and should play active roles in Christ’s mission (Acts 1:8).
When it comes to women in ordained ministry roles, there are differing perspectives on passages like 1 Timothy 2:11-12 that mention restrictions on women teaching and exercising authority. Some believe this prohibits women being ordained as pastors/elders, while others see it as a culturally specific instruction about order in Timothy’s context rather than a universal prohibition.
In summary, the Bible shows ordination as the process of appointing qualified, godly leaders for spiritual oversight, teaching, and care. The qualifications are focused on character and teaching ability more than formal training. All Christians are gifted for ministry, yet ordination sets apart some for specialized leadership roles of guiding, feeding, and protecting God’s flock.
The Bible does not prescribe a fixed process, but gives precedent for leaders being appointed through communal discernment and the laying on of hands. The authority to ordain resides within the spiritual governance structure of the church. There are various perspectives on whether women can be ordained as senior pastors or elders.
Ultimately, those ordained are servants who should lead humbly as shepherds who care for God’s people (1 Peter 5:1-4). Their lives should model the love, selflessness, and servant leadership of Jesus (Mark 10:42-45). Ordination is an appointment to elevated responsibility for those qualified and called, not a status of spiritual superiority.
Through 2,000 years of church history, ordination practices have developed and varied across church traditions and denominations. Some use formal educational requirements, while others focus on internal assessment of character and calling. Some reserve senior pastoral ordination for men, while others ordain both genders equally.
Yet while specifics differ, the foundational principles around spiritual authority, leadership character, teaching ability, and appointment by the church remain consistent with the biblical pattern. As the church discerns who to ordain for ministry, the life and teachings of Jesus remain the ultimate standard and model for kingdom leadership.
Jesus modeled servant leadership that was selfless and sacrificial (Philippians 2:1-11). He taught with divine authority as the promised Messiah, yet exemplified humility in washing his disciples feet (John 13:1-17). Jesus instructed church leaders to be servants rather than lording authority over others (Matthew 20:25-28). The Bible’s vision for ordained ministry is rooted in Christ’s example as the Suffering Servant who gave himself fully for others (Isaiah 53:11).
This servant leadership dynamic in ordination is seen in Jesus’ instructions to Peter. After appointing him to feed his sheep (John 21:15-17), signaling apostolic authority, Jesus predicts Peter would die by crucifixion just as Jesus’ own ministry culminated in suffering and death (John 21:18-19). Biblical leadership through ordination is a call to sacrificial service after Christ’s pattern.
The Apostle Paul sums up the heart of ordained leadership when he tells the Philippian church: “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Philippians 2:3-4). This exemplifies the selfless mindset of those ordained to lead Christ’s flock.
In Acts 20, Paul’s address to the Ephesian elders models the biblical approach to leadership. He reminds them of his own servanthood among them (v.18-21), commitment to fulfilling his calling (v.22-24), and desire to fully preach the gospel (v. 25-27). Paul then charges them to guard themselves and the flock, watching out for false teachers and protecting the people (v.28-31).
This demonstrates key aspects of ordained ministry: exemplifying servanthood, vigilance against deception, caring for souls, and equipping believers for ministry (v.32-35). This passage encapsulates the overarching pastoral calling that the laying on of hands in ordination signifies and sets apart leaders to fulfill.
In summary, biblical ordination:
- Appoints qualified, spiritually mature leaders
- Involves communal affirmation and laying on of hands
- Signifies authority to lead, teach, and care for God’s flock
- Sets leaders apart but all believers are gifted for ministry
- Should reflect Christ’s model of servant leadership
- Focuses on character more than academic training
- Is rooted in humility, selflessness, and compassion
While details vary, ordination in its biblical sense remains a sacred task, signifying one’s calling to guide Christ’s church through servant leadership that points people to the love and redemptive work of Jesus. It is a sobering responsibility to shepherd his flock, yet an unspeakable privilege to model the Suffering Servant who is the Supreme Shepherd of our souls (1 Peter 2:25).
The biblical foundation of ordained leadership is for those set apart to equip believers for works of service (Ephesians 4:12), so the entire body grows to maturity in Christ (Colossians 1:28). Leadership is a sacred stewardship on behalf of others, not a platform for self-importance.
In a world of power-seeking and top-down authority, ordination calls leaders to count others more significant, esteeming them before themselves (Philippians 2:3). Biblical leadership mirrors Jesus washing his disciples feet, then urging them to do likewise (John 13:14-15). In short, to biblically lead is to serve.
This is the countercultural nature of ordained leadership modeled by Christ. The world exalts status and authority. Jesus flipped this script, saying “whoever would be great among you must be your servant” (Matthew 20:26). Biblical ordination confers the charge to live this paradox daily.
The testimony of godly saints used by God stands as a witness to this biblical pattern of ordained leadership:
- Charles Spurgeon – legendary preacher yet remained humble, refusing to be called “Reverend.”
- D.L. Moody – renowned evangelist who started a church for poor people and educated orphans from slums.
- William and Catherine Booth – founded the Salvation Army to minister to London’s destitute.
- Mother Teresa – exemplified compassion in caring for “the least of these” in India.
- Martin Luther King Jr. – led the civil rights movement yet sacrificed his life serving others.
- Billy Graham – renowned Billy Graham – renowned as “America’s Pastor” yet lived modestly and avoided wealth.
These inspiring examples of ordained servants of Christ remind us that true kingdom greatness comes through laying down status and privilege to lift up the lowly and meet practical needs in Jesus’ name.
This is the legacy of biblical ordination – not power, prestige, or position, but the profound privilege of giving one’s life to see others transformed by the redemptive work of Christ. The ministry of those ordained as Christ’s servants flows from joining him in his ongoing mission to seek and save the lost, set the captives free, liberate the oppressed, and proclaim the grace that can redeem all who believe.
Jesus made this mission clear when he declared his messianic job description in Luke 4:18-19, quoting from Isaiah 61:1-2:
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives
and recovering of sight to the blind,
to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
This liberating mission is the charge he passes to all who accept the call to ordained leadership in Christ’s kingdom – not to be served, but to serve; not to be honored, but to honor others; not to dominate or control people, but set them free through the transforming power of the gospel.
May all who submit to the sacred summons of ordination embrace this high and holy calling. For their ministry will never be about status, power, or prestige. It will be about kneeling to wash feet – including those of outcasts, foreigners, and the forgotten – because that is what Jesus did.
True ordained leadership begins with a basin and towel. It arises from the Posture of a servant seeking to be like Christ. It is the humble stance of one ready to cleanse dusty feet because divine love has captured their heart.
Biblical ordination occurs when this servant soul – broken and bowed low like his Lord – feels the nail-scarred hand lay upon him, beckoning him to shepherd Christ’s blood-bought flock with the same grace that saved a wretch like him.
Rise, servant of Christ! Sacrifice self on the altar of service for his glory. Lead with holy love. Teach with humble authority. Correct and care with tearful compassion. And point all to the Lamb – the Suffering Servant who was ordained by nail prints in his hands to redeem the world.
Go now, commissioned one! Gather weary wanders to the wounded healer. Feed hungry souls the bread of life. Tell condemned captives of freedom’s open door. Help blind eyes see the Savior. Set prisoners free with grace. Proclaim God’s favor. Together let us fulfill the ordained call to shine Jesus’ light and share God’s love until he comes.